Harmony Cabin Surprise (not a good one!)

[wampuscat7]

I hope you have a great rest of your trip, OP. I would be upset by this as well.

 

(Oh, and ignore the inevitable posters who tell you want your kid should and should not be able to do. Why people think they know what a kid needs better than the parents is ridiculous.)

 

 

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[grapau27]

People are cruel.This was important to you and a massive disappointment.The harmony is a lovely ship and good on you for being positive and I hope the rest of your cruise is fantastic.

 

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[Pencruise]

I never said my vacation was ruined. I was very sad and disappointed, and it's not going the way we planned...but I will not let it ruin my vacation.

 

I'm not going to address every comment, as I don't want to spend my vacation dwelling on this. I appreciate the support, and laugh at some of the sillier comments.

 

My son's first cruise was at 12 months old, again at 3, 5, 6 and 8. Believe me, I know things don't always go as planned. We are dealing.

 

The funny thing is that, at first, Guest Relations and Hotel said that the "mistake" happened because we booked before the ship was built. They were under the impression that, while the Royal website might show the incorrect deck plan, their internal deck plans on the ship were correct. They were shocked when they checked their own plans and they were wrong too.

 

I am making it a mission to make sure this is not ignored, and gets updated so that others aren't in my position.

 

Thanks again. Off to the casino!

 

We had a problem on Anthem last year (I know you are on Harmony) with our stateroom or rather the balcony not being as described on the website, it was supposed to be an extra large wrap-around balcony and wasn't - I would just advise you to make sure you register your complaint strongly with the Guest Services Manager, they are far more likely to want to keep you happy than someone on the telephone after the cruise. I sympathize with you and would also be very upset, however I would also be like you and not let it ruin my cruise. Hope you have a great time with the family.

[leisuretraveler223]

Two JS on Harmony come at a premium.

 

Yes, but there is no premium for connecting rooms. Connecting rooms are virtually never guaranteed in any landside resort. I think the presence or absence of them on a ship, while disappointing and worthy of some sort of modest remuneration from RCI, does not rise to the level of tragedy being expressed by the OP. This HAS to be in the realm of anticipated travel challenges. Seriously, otherwise, get a two room suite.

[akcruz]

Yes, but there is no premium for connecting rooms. Connecting rooms are virtually never guaranteed in any landside resort. I think the presence or absence of them on a ship, while disappointing and worthy of some sort of modest remuneration from RCI, does not rise to the level of tragedy being expressed by the OP. This HAS to be in the realm of anticipated travel challenges. Seriously, otherwise, get a two room suite.

The difference I see is that in a landside resort you don't pick a specific room. On a cruise ship you use the information provided to you from the line to determine which cabin (s) fit your needs. If that information is incorrect it can lead to issues. What if the incorrect symbol was used regarding bedding, ie you thought you had a sofa ed but ended up with a pullman? End of the world, no, but for some could be an issue.

 

Everyone has different needs when they travel. The OP is disappointed in their situation, one that should not have happened. They came here to warn others, not declare their vacation a disaster.

 

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[leisuretraveler223]

The difference I see is that in a landside resort you don't pick a specific room. On a cruise ship you use the information provided to you from the line to determine which cabin (s) fit your needs. If that information is incorrect it can lead to issues. What if the incorrect symbol was used regarding bedding, ie you thought you had a sofa ed but ended up with a pullman? End of the world, no, but for some could be an issue.

 

Everyone has different needs when they travel. The OP is disappointed in their situation, one that should not have happened. They came here to warn others, not declare their vacation a disaster.

 

That is true, but there are a number of reasons why you might not end up with the room you pick. Unexpected maintenance issue being the main one. As far as the incorrect information: while this is unfortunate, it still falls in the realm of things that might be encountered on a new ship.

 

Either way, this kind of speaks to the level of flexibility, or complete lack thereof by a large number of cruisers. It's why cruising in no way equates with any other typical form of travel. There is a population that is so averse to any vaguely unexpected challenge or change that they really wouldn't or shouldn't travel. But cruising has billed itself as safe and non adventurous enough that even those people can.

[grapau27]

The op booked early to get the room and location they wanted being guided by the cruise lines deck guide.It is unacceptable that in this case the cruise line are not doing more to help.The op did everything right and shame on anybody who critisise them for being upset for not getting what they paid for.

 

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[setsail]

The op booked early to get the room and location they wanted being guided by the cruise lines deck guide.It is unacceptable that in this case the cruise line are not doing more to help.The op did everything right and shame on anybody who critisise them for being upset for not getting what they paid for.

 

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Please tell us about the inside info you have that the cruise line is not going to do anything to help?

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Yes, but there is no premium for connecting rooms. Connecting rooms are virtually never guaranteed in any landside resort. I think the presence or absence of them on a ship, while disappointing and worthy of some sort of modest remuneration from RCI, does not rise to the level of tragedy being expressed by the OP. This HAS to be in the realm of anticipated travel challenges. Seriously, otherwise, get a two room suite.

I don't see the OP expressing this as a "tragedy". A disappointment? Yes.

 

That is true, but there are a number of reasons why you might not end up with the room you pick. Unexpected maintenance issue being the main one. As far as the incorrect information: while this is unfortunate, it still falls in the realm of things that might be encountered on a new ship.

 

Either way, this kind of speaks to the level of flexibility, or complete lack thereof by a large number of cruisers. It's why cruising in no way equates with any other typical form of travel. There is a population that is so averse to any vaguely unexpected challenge or change that they really wouldn't or shouldn't travel. But cruising has billed itself as safe and non adventurous enough that even those people can.

Are we reading the same thread? The OP is continuing with their cruise and said they were going to make the best of things. I don't see anything wrong with being disappointed/upset that what they were told they were going to get didn't materialize. If RCI told you you were getting $150 OBC and it never showed on your account, would you just think "oh well, things change"?

 

What if the floor plans show your room could sleep three, show up at the ship with your SO and child, get into the room, and there's just the bed (no couch, no pullman). You'd just say "no big deal"?

 

Now granted, the OP didn't pay more for a connecting room. But they did plan to have one based on information RCI provided. I think they are entitled to a small amount of compensation, say $200 OBC. Here's how I got to that number... 7 day cruise, $25 OBC/day (which would be $12.50/cabin because both cabins are affected) = $175. Round up to $200. Yes, that's an arbitrary number.

[grapau27]

I sincerely hope they do get appropriate compensation. We have been on Harmony 3 times,the last being when a crew member died during a lifeboat drill on Marseille and the ship was not allowed to leave.The captain without being asked was very kind giving generous compensation to ourselves and and I believe everyone on the ship for not being able to go to La Spezia next day.

 

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[Thetrail]

I know it's not what you needed, but just ask for the balcony divider to be opened and you have connecting cabins again.

A great idea....K.O.:)

[Thetrail]

The Harmony leaves a lot to be desired in many ways.

Thanks for being soooo specific....K.O.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Thetrail]

Funny, because we've been longingly standing by the wall where our door should be. We have also discussed the torch. You've read our minds!

 

Right now, I'm sitting in a completely dark cabin, hoping my son will eventually fall asleep. Fun times.

He is eight years old and you have to stay in the room with him till he falls asleep???????K.O.

[Fouremco]

Deleted

Edited December 19, 2016 by Fouremco

[Ocean Boy]

He is eight years old and you have to stay in the room with him till he falls asleep???????K.O.

 

Maybe being a physician and having a large number of kids in my practice I place less weight on age and far more on the spectrum of needs that kids can have. Neither you nor I know this kid and I don't think the mother is obligated to provide details as to why he may have certain needs.

[njmomof2]

He is eight years old and you have to stay in the room with him till he falls asleep???????K.O.

 

I think you read the post incorrectly. I believe she said that he cannot fall asleep if anyone is IN the room. So, with connecting cabins, he goes into his bed, she leaves the room and goes into the connecting cabin. Leaves the door slightly ajar in case there is a problem and goes about her business. With the cabins she has now, if she leaves, she goes into a non connecting cabin, with no way to hear him if there is a problem and basically leaving him alone in the cabin.

 

Not every 8 year old can or should be left alone at night. In their room at home, sure. You're in the house, downstairs or in another part of the house, fine. But would you leave the house and go to the neighbor's house while he was asleep? Maybe, maybe not.

 

Not for us to judge or comment. OP booked specific cabins for a specific reason. Did not get what she booked, and it doesn't sound (at least at this point) like they plan to do anything for her. While I get the ship is booked full, something to acknowledge that this was the cruise line's fault and not OP.

 

And if you don't have and/or have never travelled with an older parent, you might not understand the need to have easy and quick access. I sail with my turning 81 year old mother and I know that there are times that she requires my assistance and being in another cabin, with no way into her room unless I went through the balcony door or out into the hallway would not be ideal.

[grapau27]

You have explained perfectly, everyone has their own reasons for booking connecting cabins or not and the op was trying to highlight these are not connecting cabins so other people who need these can avoid these 2 cabins.To me these threads and TripAdvisor for hotels are for people helping fellow travelers.

 

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[chemmo]

We are very room 'picky' always book early, never go for last minute deals because we read the information (provided by the cruise line and CC) and then commit ourselves, preferring to have exactly what we want....The OP did this.

 

We no longer travel with a minor or a senior but do remember the level of support both can need...Even little things like an elderly lady not being able to zip up her dress or a young boy needing monitoring that you need to spend more than 30 seconds cleaning your teeth! It can be simple things like this that make families choose connecting cabins. If you book connecting cabins this is what you should get.

 

It looks to me as if we have an OP here who has really tried to do the very best for her family! I really do hope that RC does something about this misrepresentation of the cabins. OP, I hope you have a wonderful cruise, I am so glad you are reaching above the problems but do suggest you follow this up on board....not just for your sake but for further cruisers....

[pamssanity]

Yes, we will do that, but we can't talk to each other when we are getting ready, etc. And going out on the balcony if my son or mother needs me in the middle of the night is not what we want to do (or go into the hallway either).

 

I realize it's not the end of the world, but when you've been planning for almost 2 years, it's really disappointing. We would absolutely not have booked these cabins if we knew they were not connecting.

 

I know it's not the optimum solution but gave Wilkie talkies. This way if someone needs you ( also you having an extra key to their room) you can get there quickly.

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Crushed.....really ? For the love of God, I hope this post was meant as a joke ! There are people starving to death, there are children dying of cancer, there are countries at war ....get a grip on reality and either walk out your door and knock on theirs or get the divider opened on your balconies . Try to enjoy your luxury vacation while we shovel out from another blizzard that is going to hit !

[LisaT91403]

Just in case anyone is interested, I wanted to report back on this. It took some effort, but I have gotten Royal Caribbean to update the deck plans to reflect the true status of these non-connecting cabins.

 

I contacted the corporate offices upon returning from the cruise, and they were responsive. They had to have someone physically walk the ship and verify my report, which makes sense. It's funny that nobody was aware of this configuration issue -- not the Guest Services team (who have been onboard since the first sailing), nor anyone on shore either. So, I guess it was a surprise for all of us.

 

Anyway, my top goal here was to get this corrected so that future families do not have the same issue...and so that others can be informed about exactly what cabin type they are booking when they make their decision. Success!

 

Thanks for those who showed support!

[Fouremco]

Thanks for the update. It's amazing that they can build a ship and no one knew until you brought it to their attention. :eek:

[retiredgram]

Thanks for the update.

[JVilleGal]

Thanks for the update and reporting "the rest of the story" !

 

 

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[LisaT91403]

Thanks for the update. It's amazing that they can build a ship and no one knew until you brought it to their attention. :eek:

 

Amazing, right?

 

I have this funny vision in my mind...a team of maintenance and guest services people looking high and low in the cabins, feeling along the walls, trying desperately to find a door!

Edited January 10, 2017 by LisaT91403